Royals Fall Just Short Against Rockets

  In their last exhibition game, the Royals showed the fans what they can expect from their home club.  This  team has alot of potential, speed, grit, and toughness.  More on that later, here is the game recap.

  First Period

  Keith Hamilton was in goal for the Royals, and Jordon Cooke countered for the Rockets.  The Rockets scored first, on a goal by Filip Vasko, midway through the period.  The assists went to Tyson Baillie and Mitchell Chapman.  The first period was a very back and forth affair, as both teams shared rush opportunities.  The Royals first goal of the night was a thing of beauty, as Logan Nelson out skated everyone to a loose pack and easily flipped it over Cooke's shoulder.  Lukas Kralik was the one who lobbed the puck down the ice, getting the only assist on the goal.  The Royals would then take the lead as Kade Pilton's wrist shot from the point found its way into the net.  Logan Nelson and Brett Cote assisted on the powerplay goal.  The period would end with Victoria up 2-1.  The Royals were out shot 13-8.

  Second Period
 
   Steven Hodges almost gave Victoria a two goal lead.  While shorthanded, Hodges intercepted the puck in the attacking zone but wired it off the crossbar.  The second period had the Rockets spending a lot of time in the attacking zone.   The pressure would pay off as Colton Sissons would tie the game up.  Cody Chikie got the only assist on Sissons' goal.  With only 34 seconds left in the period,  Austin Ferguson put the visiting team ahead.  Cody Chikie piccked up his second assist of the night.  The second period ended with Kelowna leading 3-2.  The Royals were outshot 14-7 in the period.

  Third Period
 
  The third period was a very chippy affair.  80 penalty minutes were dished out to both teams in the final frame.  The Royals' Tim Traber dropped the gloves with Mitchell Chapman.  Traber started out the fight with a couple rights, but took a right himself and Chapman took the decision in the one sided fight.  Great courage by Traber who had enough and wanted to help spark his team.  Jesse Zgraggen then fought Kelowna's Carter Rigby.  Both men threw wild rights at each other , but it was Zgraggen who connected with the big punches and took the decision.  After whistle scrums in the third period were a common sight, as both teams tried anything to get in the other team's goalie's head.  The Royals had a 5-on-3 in the last two minutes and pulled the goalie to make it a 6-on-3 advantage.  The Royals were unable to beat Jordon Cooke, and the Rockets left with the win.  The Royals outshot Kelowna 16-11 in the final frame.

  Three Stars

3) Keith Hamilton(Victoria)
2) Cody Chikie(Kelowna)
1) Logan Nelson(Victoria)

Top Three Standout Players

Logan Nelson- Nelson was everywhere in this game.  He ended up with a goal and an assist, but he was much more involved.  His speed was a problem for the other team all night.  He used his 6'1 frame to play safe defensively and grind along the board in the offensive zone.  Logan Nelson looks like he will be a very good player this season for the Royals.  He has the size, the speed, and the finishing abilities.

Keith Hamilton- Keith started the game out by giving up some big rebounds, but as the game went on he was solid.  He made several tough saves and kept his team in it.  It will be interesting to see what the Royals do with their goalie rotation this season, but if Hamilton plays like he did in this game,then there is no doubt that he is a starting caliber goalie. 

Hayden Rintoul- The captain is everything you would want in a defenseman.  Rintoul quarterbacks the powerplay, is the first one back on the defensive side, and he has the desire to win.  He is great positionally, uses his stick defensively, and has offensive flair.  I am very excited to see this kid play in the future.